Friend or Vacuum Salesman?
by John Fischer

We've all heard the story before, or perhaps it even happened to you.You receive a visit from a friend you haven't seen in a long time. You are overjoyed at the reunion and honored that your friend would see the relationship worth cultivating and would actually seek you out. Or it might be a person you are just starting to get to know, and there are encouraging signs of a potential friendship.

In the course of a pleasant conversation, with the talk shifting randomly from one subject to another you suddenly find you are discussing the virtues of various vacuum cleaners. You friend brightens at the topic because he's recently had some great results with an amazing new machine that he extols with great pleasure. You are so taken by his excitement that you find yourself wanting to know where you might find one of these amazing vacuum cleaners since your old model has paled in comparison to his vivid description, and you've been thinking about looking into a new one anyway. It's then that your new friend offers to solve all your problems by selling you one on the spot at a "one-time-only, low, low price of $69.95."

Suddenly you feel an awful knot in the pit of your stomach. It's not unlike the feeling you had when you came home one day to find your house had been burglarized. You feel violated, used. And you feel stupid for trusting this person and making yourself vulnerable to his schemes. He's not after a friendship; he's after a sale.

A believer's mission to share Christ with people is one of the five great purposes for which we exist. But without the other four to balance it, we can end up peddling Christ with similar results. Even laying hold of a conversation with the intent of steering it in a particular direction can feel manipulative to a person.

If I listen to the other purposes in this light, I remember that God is in control of everyone's own road to discovery. I don't make anyone see the truth, I am only witness to what I have seen and heard. My relationship with people is an end in itself, regardless of whether or not they are Christian or Muslim, or Jewish or atheists. My purpose is to serve people, not sell them something. And maturity tells me that the Holy Spirit is my guide as to what to say and when, so as to not even worry about this or be overly conscious of my role in someone's life as providing anything other than love and support.

We don't take God's word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ's presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can. (2 Corinthians 2:17 The Message)

This is taken from 'the purpose driven life daily devotion. go sign up =))

Don't Kill the Mockingbird
by John Fischer

Silence. But for the mockingbird going through its treasure trove of bird sounds. (One wonders if this bird has any sound of its own other than its mocking, or has its mocking become its own sound?)

Stillness. I'm in the pre-dawn hours before knowing if the sun will make an appearance today or not. At this hour it's inconsequential. There is little or no movement outside my window.

I love the early morning. Everything seems suspended in time. If I could make time stop, it would feel something like this. I love being awake while everyone else is asleep, and I immediately wonder if that is a superior thought or if there is something good in it. I honestly don't think myself as superior to everyone sleeping right now; more like being aware of a secret they may not know. That's it. I am the keeper of a secret.

“Don't imagine us as leaders to be something we aren't,” wrote Paul. “We are servants of Christ, not his masters. We are guides into God's most sublime secrets, not security guards posted to protect them” (1 Corinthians 4:1 The Message). That's it. Guides into God's most sublime secrets. I formerly thought these secrets were truths, principles, and doctrines — things written down in the Bible — but this morning I am realizing that those sublime secrets could include a mockingbird.

The early morning sprinklers pierce the stillness and I realize I am privy to that sound. It's the secret that makes this moment special. God seems nearer because of it. I know He's awake, and there are fewer things vying for my attention right now, making Him supremely obvious. He's big. He fills up the silence. The morning paper is trivia compared to Him, even though it captured my attention first this morning.

The mockingbird is offering its opinion of the morning paper, mimicking all we deem important in our search for celebrity and notoriety. (How much of the news is dominated by the ranting and raving of those seeking to be known?) …And the mockingbird mocks.

There it goes again as if to say, “You want birds? I'll give you birds. Hundreds of them. Here. Guess which one this is. Bet you can't guess. See? Told you so.” So many different renditions of birdcalls, and God sent one bird to do it all. I try to memorize one sound and wait for it to come around again and I eventually tire of waiting. If it's a cycle, I can't find where it begins or ends.

Suddenly I wonder if maybe the mockingbird is not mocking at all. Maybe it's we who are so attuned to mockery that we can't hear the bird merely sing its song - a continuous cycle of praise. Instead of killing the mockingbird, let's join in its praise with our thanksgiving. I think that's better for all of us.

this is taken from purposedrivenlife.com's daily devotional.

I'm back after a long time, Yes, It's true!!!

Heys Guys... Srry havent blogged much... Anyhow, here goes yea? Lets Kick this off with a prayer? Yea lets go...

Dear Lord, thank you for all the blessings you have abundantly given to us. We want to thank you for everything you have done for us in our lives and in the lives of others who have come before you to worship you and to praise you. I pray for people who are in other countries who need help Lord. Help people who are affected by the Tsunamis. Although it was almost 2 months ago, I pray that you will continue to give them the strength and the courage to persevere and to live on Lord. I pray for the volunteers and for the missionaries who are there, Lord. Give them the strength they need to carry out their duties and to bring glory to your Kingdom and for your honour Lord. Amen.

The Purpose Driven Life.
Day 2 - You are not an accident
I am your creator. You were in my care even before you were born. Isaiah 44:2

Long before you were conceived by your parents, you were conceived in the mind of God.

Remember that God created you for His purpose. From the first day, that was stated. He made you exactly as he wanted you. You were and are NOT an accident.

The Salvation Equation.
My Youth ministry (YM) is now going thru this book that was written by one of the Wesleyans. It is talking about the Common Misconception about life and Salvation, Faith as well as Grace. If you have any interest in this book, inform me and i'll try to get you a copy.

This book is talking about Christian Basics in a More explained manner. He uses quite articulate language to try and express what he feels about this 'Salvation Equation'. The way to salvation is actually a simple equation. However, this equation requires that alot of dedication be put into it.

Grace + Faith = Salvation + Good Works.

Simple enough? Not quite... ^^, Look carefully... It requires Two key points. Grace and Faith. Grace, we as human beings cannot do anything about. Grace, is God's part of the Salvation Equation. Grace, however, is a part of the Equation which is always there... 24-7-365... For as long as you live. Everyday, The Grace is just waiting for you to accept it. Faith, is your part. The ball is in your court. Faith, is the act of reaching out to God, and saying 'Yes, Lord, I accept your gift of Grace with my Faith.' This is a process which must occur daily. Everyday, reach out to God and accept the Grace which has been put there for your Faith to accept. And once you have the faith to Receive that Grace, Salvation follows. Salvation happens when God's Grace is in your life. And with Salvation, you will want to thank God and praise him. Bring more people to His kingdom! Go and be fishers of men! Do good works! Let others think 'Who is this person who helps me even though i am not worthy of his help?' Share the Gospel with them!

I shan't say anymore or i can get sued by Copyright Infringement law. Get the book ;)

Christ, The ONLY way.

Indulgence says, "Drink your way out."
Philosophy says, "Think your way out."
Science says, "Invent your way out."
Industry says, "Work your way out."
Communism says, "Strike your way out."
Fascism says, "Bluff your way out."
Militarism says, "Fight your way out."
But Christ Says, "I Am The Way Out."

Back

Sorry people, haven't been able to update much lately... So much time spent on school work etc. (Yea dont be like me ok...) Have been reading up on God's word etc. just havent gotten the time to post it and all...
Anyhow, juz wanna tell you guys to check out this book called the Purpose Driven Life. Very good book, shows you God's purpose for you in your life. It's a 40 day devotional sort of thing, veri helpful. I read up to day 9 already, and its sort of coming through to me. Anyway, i'll just be summing up the points of the book here, so get yourself a copy if you can. ^^,

Day 1 - It all starts with God.
This first chapter is telling you to focus not on yourself, but on God instead. Its aim is to make you remember that you are not your own, You were bought with a price.
1) Focusing on yourself will never reveal God's purpose for you.
2) You were made by God and for God. - and until you understand that, life will never make sense.

Verse : Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. Colossians 1:16

Post Christmas

Thank God for these things :

• The good food you have put into your body
• The good fellowship
• Time spent with family (You know you have very little of this)
• Sending his Son Jesus Christ to earth
• The countless blessings he has showered upon you.

Christmas Service

God, Creator of all life, You made us in your image and sent your Son to be our flesh. Grant us now in this time of his birth, that we, who have been born again through his grace, may daily find all things made new in him. For he lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit
Amen

Lord, open our minds and hearts by the power of your Holy Spirit, that we may hear and rejoice in the gospel of our saviour's birth, told in story and song this night.
Amen

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks toyou, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
You created light out of darkness and brought forth life on earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You delivered us from captivity, made covenant to be our sovereign God, and spoke to us through your prophets.
You loved the world so much you gave your only Son Jesus Christ to be our Saviour.
As the angels sang glory to you in the highest and peace to your people on earth so with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn : Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your Glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. As Mary and Joseph went from Galilee to Bethlehem and there found no room, so Jesus went from Galilee to Jerusalem and was despised and rejected.
As in the poverty of a stable Jesus was born, so by the baptism of his suffering, death and resurrection you gave birth to your church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the spirit.
As your word became flesh, born of a woman, on that night long ago, so on the night in which he gave himself up for us he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples and said : "Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
When supper was over he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples and said : "Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant,poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy spirit on us, gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world and body of Christ, redeemed by his blood.
By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to the world, until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet.
Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be you name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we have also forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. (NIV) Matthew 6:9-13

Now, Brothers and Sisters, o in peace and joy to love and serve the Lord. We are sent in the name of the Christ Child. Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God! Alleluia!''



Lesson 1 : The prophet Isaiah proclaims good news to the people in exile.
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's handdouble for all her sins. A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a ghighway for our God.Every vallet shall be raised up, every mountain made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has Spoken." A voice says, "Cry out." And i said, "What shall I cry?"
"All men are liek grass and their glory is like the flowers on the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." (NIV) Isaiah 40:1-8

Lesson 2 : Christ's birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; o those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned. (NIV) Isaiah 9:2
For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his Kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (NIV) Isaiah 9:6-7

Lesson 3 : The prophet Micah fortells, the glory of little Bethlehem.
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small amongt the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Therefor Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He ill stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and marches through our fortressesm we will raise him against seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men. (NIV) Micah 5:2-5

Lesson 4 : Matthew tells the birth of Jesus.
(Too long... hand tired...) (NIV) Matthew 1:18-25

Lesson 5 : Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.
Luke 2:1-7

Lesson 6 : John unfolds the great mystery of incarnation
John 1:1-14

Copyright by St James' Church
December 2004